Irkut MS-21 wing box passes static test

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Moscow - At the Central Aerodynamic Institute (TsAGI)of Russian Federation, the modified composite wing box of the MC MS-21 was subjected to a new load test.

The aim of the test in mid-November was to prove the wing strength under maximum load, as the aircraft manufacturer Irkut announced. The wing box of the MS-21-300 even withstood loads that exceeded the set maximum without breaking.

The MS-21 is expected to compete the Airbus A320 family and the Boeing 737 with a capacity of 163 to 211 passengers.

At the end of February 2017, Irkut had carried out static tests in the TsAGI facilities in Schukowski near Moscow. At that time, however, the wing box was broken according to Russian media at 90 percent of the maximum load. Irkut decided that the demonstrated reserve factor was enough to start the flight test. At the same time, work continued on the wings to strengthen them.

In November, researchers from TsAGI also tested the aerodynamics of the MS-21-300 in the wind tunnel with Russian PD-14 engines from ODK. "The tests allow us to expand the aerodynamic database of the aircraft," said Sergey Skomorokhov, head of the aircraft and missile aerodynamics at TsAGI. The tests confirmed the high aerodynamic quality of the aircraft with the Russian engines.

The first device of the MS-21-300 launched on May 28 for the first flight, The new Russian airliner will initially be powered by with Pratt & Whitney PW1400G western geared engines. The MS-21 is expected to compete the Airbus A320 family and the Boeing 737 with a capacity of 163 to 211 passengers. The aircraft will be available in two variants in the future, as the MS-21-300 and the smaller version MS-21-200.